Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 22 (IANS) Stating that there had been no corruption, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Friday dismissed the Delhi Lokayukta’s allegation that she “misrepresented facts” about the completion of 60,000 low-cost flats in the run-up to the 2008 assembly elections.

“Every political party gives a manifesto. Now in our manifesto we had said that we will give EWS housing, which we have done. There are houses which are ready but not all houses can be ready in one year or six months,” Dikshit said.

Citing an example, she said that two elections ago they had said that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi would be split. “And it took us so many years to do it.”

“You cannot equate corruption with intention to do something. It’s a policy which the party made and we acted upon it,” she said.

On July 18, Delhi Lokayukta (ombudsman) Manmohan Sarin came down heavily on Dikshit, alleging that despite knowing that 60,000 flats were not ready, Dikshit made the announcement to gain favour to herself or her political party ahead of the elections.

This is the second time this year that the Lokayukta has passed a strong order against a state government functionary.

In March, Justice Sarin recommended that President Pratibha Patil censure Dikshit for allowing Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan to continue in the Delhi government for his alleged involvement in protecting a leading resort in a tax evasion case.

Dikshit spoke about that too, saying: “No concession has been given on taxation”.

“I have not misrepresented facts,” she said.